Civil War Union Brigadier General. Entered the service as 1st Lt in the 8th Illinios Cavalry and then served as captain. For a time he was on the staff of Gen. Alfred Pleasanton, the cavalry commander. He must have done something outstanding because on June 29, 1863, he was suddenly promoted from Captain to Brigadier General on the eve of the Battle of Gettysburg, along with Wesley Merrit and George Custer. At Gettysburg his Cavalry Bridge was stationed on the Union left near Big Round Top. During the late afternoon hours of July 3, 1863 Gen. Kilpatrick ordered him to make a charge against the Confederate lines through a heavily woods and boulder-strewn area. Farnsworth realized it was useless and told Kilpatrick so. Kilpatrick then claimed Farnsworth was a coward. Farnsworth led the ill-fated charge and gave his life to accomplish nothing. (bio by: EFB III)